Construction benefits students who are undergoing training

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries with the School of Agriculture and Rural Volunteering, located in Moxico Velho, Luena, Angola, were able to complete construction projects thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. With the funding, Salesians rehabilitated the kitchen and created a school dining room for the students.

“This construction project will make significant improvements to the school and allow us to have a dedicated space to feed our students,” said a Salesian missionary. “We appreciate the donors who support this project. Our school primarily serves students in conditions of poverty and these changes will have a positive impact on them.”

This project directly impacted 36 youth, aged 17-23, who are undergoing volunteer training, with some preparing for the seminary. Two thousand villagers who rely on subsistence farming will also be able to use the new facilities.

The school works to develop volunteers experienced in agriculture, the general culture of the area, social development and seminary studies. Salesians will look at new educational initiatives in forestry and beekeeping.

In Angola more than a third of the population could be living on less than 2.15 dollars per day, according to the World Bank. Although the country’s recession ended in 2021, economic growth has lagged behind population growth, resulting in negative per capita growth for nine years. Unemployment has remained high, impacted women disproportionately, experiencing an unemployment rate of over 33% in the first quarter of 2024, compared to about 31 percent for men.

Salesian missionaries continue to rebuild infrastructure that was damaged during the civil war that lasted from 1975 to 2002. Much was destroyed during the conflict including schools, medical buildings and churches. Living within the communities in which they work, Salesian missionaries have been perfectly positioned to respond to local needs and lead projects for community betterment.

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Photo (from video) courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Angola

World Bank – Angola